OKC Thunder: Thunder fall to Grizzlies despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 | Sports

Riding a three-game successful streak, Wednesday’s highly-anticipated match towards Memphis felt just like the Thunder’s probability to make a press release.

Both groups are on related trajectories with their younger core, although the Grizzlies has extra expertise. Since drafting Ja Morant second general in 2019, the Grizzlies have gone to the playoffs in two of his three seasons. 

The similar can’t be stated concerning the Thunder with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who solely made the playoffs as soon as in his first season with the staff and has been within the lottery the final two years. 

But as tip-off drew nearer, the thrill surrounding this recreation slowly fizzled out.

It first began when Kenrich Williams was dominated out due to a knee sprain. Then the Thunder introduced that lottery decide Ousmane Dieng had been reassigned to the Oklahoma City Blue as soon as once more. Then Lu Dort was dominated out with a left knee contusion. 

That left the Thunder with solely 12 gamers in a 123-102 loss to the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies centered on stopping Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 26 factors however shot simply 4-of-14 from the sector. He did make 17-of-19 from the free-throw line, which marked profession highs in each makes and makes an attempt. 

Here are three ideas from the Thunder’s 123-102 loss to the Grizzlies:

1. Keeping it fascinating

Despite the poor offensive displaying, the Thunder remained aggressive till the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies pulled away by outscoring the Thunder by 14 factors within the closing body.

Entering the third quarter, it was a seven-point recreation. 

How did the Thunder maintain it inside vary? Threes and free throws. 

While the Thunder shot 20-of-54 (37 %) on 2-pointers, their scorching outdoors taking pictures and talent to draw taking pictures fouls stored them within the recreation. From outdoors, the Thunder shot 14-of-38 (36.8 %) and went 20-of-23 (87 %) from the free-throw line.

Those two areas accounted for 62 of its 102 factors. 

2. Two-way participant Eugene (*26*) performs properly

At the 6:54 mark of the primary quarter, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault made a shocking selection for the primary participant off the bench. 

With the Thunder undermanned, the two-way participant was given a possibility to play at the least 24 minutes for the primary time since Nov. 11. 

He took benefit of the chance, scoring 11 factors on 5-of-11 taking pictures and grabbed 5 rebounds. (*26*) additionally recorded three steals and dished out two assists.

When matched up towards the previous Thunder middle Steven Adams, (*26*) didn’t again down and was bodily with him. 

3. No Darius Bazley

Despite the Thunder’s lack of depth, Darius Bazley did not play towards the Grizzlies for the second straight recreation.

The fourth-year wing’s absence was due to a coach’s determination.

While Daigneault has stated a number of instances this season that his rotation is unstable, Bazley being the one energetic participant to not step on the court docket stands out.

Bazley is averaging a career-low 15.6 minutes this season. Considering he’ll be a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason, his future with the Thunder feels unsure.